We all need to work, but every job carries some risk. It’s easy to think of problems with construction jobs and the injuries from other forms of manual labor, like:
But even working behind a desk has its risks.
Sitting in a cubicle or working remotely poses less severe risks than more physical tasks, but you need to focus on the health of your eyes. Let’s explore the physical problems office workers face, the effects on their visual health, and what can be done to protect it.
Drs. Hena Khaja, Soha Rafi, and our experienced medical staff at Texas Eye Doctors, P.A., are dedicated to maintaining the eye health of the residents of McKinney, Texas.
Sitting at your desk increases the chances of several physical problems, including:
However, the biggest risks have to do with the health of your eyes.
With more time devoted to being in front of digital screens for work, there’s a higher risk of several vision problems:
This can include a range of problems stemming from prolonged use of a computer screen. The most common is called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), which encompasses several related issues, such as blurred vision, double vision, and headaches.
Studies show that the more time we spend focusing on screens, the less time we blink, which is a necessary function of vision. Blinking keeps our eyes moist, and doing less of it increases the risk of eye aches, tearing, and burning sensations.
To reduce your risk of many eye-related office issues, some basic changes in sitting habits and overall modifications can help. Start by controlling how much time you spend looking at screens:
For every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, take 20 seconds to look at something 20 feet away. This helps you refocus and reduce eye strain.
Blinking more often improves vision by helping keep eyes moist and protecting them from dryness and other issues. Make a conscious effort to blink more, such as when getting up to do something or attending a meeting.
Another way to reduce eyestrain and dry eye is to adjust the lighting of your screens. Excessive exposure to bright light for extended periods is harmful to long-term eye health.
Eating more omega-3 fatty acids, leafy greens, and other vegetables like carrots provides the eyes with the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
All of these techniques help improve vision, but if your eye problems worsen, make an appointment with Drs. Khaja, Rafi, and our Texas Eye Doctors, P.A. team to get help.
